PLANS to build homes at Molesey FC in a bid to save the club from closure have been met with a mixed reaction.

More than 200 people have contacted Elmbridge Borough Council – some in support and others to object to the plans.

The club has submitted a planning application with Rushmon Homes to Elmbridge Borough Council to build 20 homes to the south west and north west of the pitch, with the stand, pitch and dugout being moved.

Last year, plans to build 11 homes on the club’s land were refused by the council.

Some people living near the ground in Walton Road are worried about the new properties overlooking their homes and gardens, and say it will cause parking and traffic problems in the area.

The club, which has fallen into financial difficulty in recent years, launched a campaign last year to raise awareness of its needs ‘to ensure a successful and debt-free future’.

Club spokesman Debbie Harry said they were encouraged by the support from people in the area.

She said: “Molesey Football Club has been at the heart of our community for over 100 years, with 60 years at our present ground in Walton Road.

“We have always been a family club and our facilities are used by many different groups in our community, from schools to the community church, and people want to see us stay here and thrive.

“By releasing some unused land we can generate desperately needed funds to wipe out our debt once and for all, upgrade our pitch facilities and secure the club’s future for generations to come.”

Zoe Kehoe, 35, from Brende Gardens, added: “I have been going there since I was a child and have great memories. My grandad was a steward there and my dad, John Chambers, is now a steward. If it was to shut we would not be able to meet [socially] any more. It would be devastating.”

But a Cannon Way resident, who asked not to be named, added: “I don’t want the club to go but this seems to be a huge development. The other plans that were rejected was one row of houses. This is three times bigger. The houses have very short gardens, so they will overlook the existing houses.”

He said the land has an agreement on it to ensure it was ‘gifted to the town’ and should not be used for the club.

“We are in the same position that we were in 10 years ago,” he added. “It doesn’t seem right that they should profit from the development. It was gifted to the town.”

Mrs Harry added: “There are of course some issues which affect our immediate neighbours. I’m one myself, and we wanted to address those sensitively before we finalised the planning application. But it is very clear that the Molesey community really values what we do and want us to carry on.”